purgatory

[rinnie]

The Holy Scriptures do not teach that a priest can forgive sins. If he could totally absolve you, then why is it you still need to do acts of penance and piety?

When we read about Peter and Simon the Sorcerer in Acts 8, [SIGN]this man wanted to buy from the apostle, the power of laying on of hands to [/SIGN]give others the Holy Spirit. But Peter said to him, “May your silver perish with you, because you thought you could acquire God’s gift with money! You have no share or part in this matter because your heart is not right before God! Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray to the Lord that he may perhaps forgive you for the intent of your heart. For I see that you are bitterly envious and in bondage to sin.” But Simon replied, “You pray to the Lord for me so that nothing of what you have said may happen to me.”

If Peter was pope or had authority, why then didn’t he just hear the Sorcerers confession and absolve him?

Where in Scriptures do we read that Jesus gave us a sacramental system? Where did He institute the mass with its priest, victim and sacrifices?

The Bible is clear that unbelievers will spend eternity in hell. Of this I think we can all agree on. But from the catholic church’s traditions and their reliance of non-canonical books, the Catholics have developed the doctrine of purgatory. We find purgatory nowhere mentioned in the NT. Purgatory, according to the Catholic Encyclopedia, is a “place or condition of temporal punishment for those who, departing this life in God’s grace are, not entirely free from venial faults, or have not fully paid the satisfaction due to their transgressions.” On the other hand, Protestants believe that because we are justified by faith in Christ alone, and that Christ’s righteousness is imputed to us – when we die we will go straight to heaven to be in the presence of the Lord (Corinthians 5:6-10 and Philippians 1:23). This is in accordance with the Scriptures.

Also do you think that a Priest buys this??? Do you not understand that a Priest is called to be a Priest by Jesus Christ. He answers the call from God he does not buy the call from Christ. Just like Paul was called so is a Priest. Just like Paul had the laying of hands so does a Priest. This has never changed.

And yeah yeah yeah I know how you Protestants are justified by faith alone I have had that issue up to my ears. I would just LOVE, and I mean LOVE to know how you people could possibly obtain Faith without the Grace of God. I would like to know how anyone could obtain ANYTHING in this world without the Grace of God. That is beyond my level of understanding thats for sure. But I know you people swear up and down you do it by faith alone. I just totally disagree with you. scripture disagrees with you. But that is another issue. God never said it and never will. Only you guys do.

I will not be stupid enough to ask for the scripture because it does not exist. But if you could show me faith alone without grace I will become a Protestant. Better yet a Mormon how about that.

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

Okay Jacob. this is perfect maybe you can help me. First after you answer Randys question about blasphemy you can answer mine. Its real easy actually. I have asked md and she give never answers it.

Okay you said clear that blaphemy is not pardoned. Guess what Jacob I agree with you all the way. But its the other part of your statement that no one will address for me especially MD she like you will not answer. So you said (lets forget about what the sin is now, lets get back to the last part of your sentence.

[SIGN]NOT HERE OR IN THE AFTERLIFE. What does that mean?[/SIGN] Also by the way MD disgrees totally with you. I think You can read what she wrote to me. But I do believe with you on that. I believe if you commit blasphemy here or in the after life you are screwed to.

But back to my point why would it say there is ONE sin that can’t be forgiven here or in the next world? Do you see what I mean now. Would you not take that to mean some sins in this world can be cleansed away in the next world.

Let me give you an expample. To be dead to sin completely. Is that not hard to do. It can be acomplished here, God says but he says its hard. Lets say I die tommorow but still have the urge to sin (you know I still want to do it my way) I would still not be made perfect with God not do you agree. So lets say I need a little fine tune before I go to see God. So would you not agree there is a place or state not here, but not in heaven, It cant be heaven, and not hell it can’t be hell. that I can get that fine tune. Where although I died with my sins forgiven that stain is still on me that needs to be washed away. If you agree with that I would need a place to get my final dip would you not agree. Get it dip, purged, to cleanse of anything (name removed by moderator)ure left inside of me. Now if you disagree we have only one option.

We must die completely perfect. PERFECT or we go to heaven or hell. We can not sit on our death bad and not even have one evil or bad throught. Like lets say you are lying on the bed your last moments and the nurse sticks you again with a needle. And you think I would love to tell you where to stick that needled right up your -----------boom your are dead. You never got to finish the word in your head even? What do you think about that? Is that what a person that was made Perfect in Christ would do? Or could you see a person human not being totally cleansed from sin doing that? Does that really seem that far out for you to believe that someone could think that as a last thought?

Jacob are you pulling a MD on me or what. Why will you not address this question either. I know MD won’t. But I thought you at least would. How could I possibly be any clearer with my question???///

 

[TheWay]

Oh no, not rude at all. I don’t selectively read and answer questions. I’ve posted a lot on this thread but sometimes it moves far too fast for me to keep up. Plus, one response can trigger several of you to respond and I hope my response to one answers the same question or comment posted by others.

I’m pretty sure I addressed 2 Thess. 2:13 in a previous post, nevertheless:2 Thess 2:11-13 "For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. ¶ But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth."Notice Paul does not say one chosen for salvation “by” sanctification but “through” it, “by the Spirit and FAITH in the truth.”

Sanctified means to have been set apart. Every saved person “has been (a one time event) sanctified.” and that “in Christ.” Paul writes to the believers in Corinth:1 Cor 1:2 ¶ To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling…"In the body of his letter he identifies those who will not inherit the kingdom of God (6:9-10). But of the believer he says:1 Cor 6:11 "Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God."And the attitude of the believer, now sanctified (set apart) in Christ, is that though all thing are lawful to him, he should know that not all things are profitable (i.e., for spiritual growth). Though all things are lawful, like Paul, they should be mastered by nothing. But instead free to serve Christ and worship God in Spirit and truth (1 Cor. 6:12). Nor do all things edify, writes Paul, either themselves or others who “have been sanctified in Christ” (10:23).

Though it is true that the saved are experientially being sanctified in their faith walk on earth, objectively they’ve been sanctified, once for all (a one time event), in the risen Christ:Acts 26:18 "…to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.’

Heb 10:10 "By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all."Experiential sanctification is an everyday struggle for the believer, but positional sanctification, as revealed in the Scriptures (now and forever set apart in the risen Christ), is a one time act of God according to His GRACE through Christ Jesus.

Does this adequately answer your question?

Thanks for the reply, moondweller. I felt like I had asked you the same question several times with no response. I think the main difference between your view and the Catholic view is that there are past, present and future aspects of sanctification in the latter view, which I think is supported by Hebrews 10:14: “For by a single offering he has perfected (past tense) for all time those who are being sanctified (present tense).” Christ on the Cross has provided the means through which we can obtain eternal life in Heaven. But notice that the author of Hebrews says that this one-time sacrifice doesn’t make us perfectly sanctified already. It sounds like you’re saying the same thing with the labels “experiential” and “positional”. But the fact remains that we must be perfectly sanctified to enter Heaven. So our “experiential” sanctification must be part of salvation, which is our eternal union with God in Heaven. We must be perfectly sanctified to enter Heaven, not just “position-ally” or declared so.

 

[moondweller]

Thanks for the reply, moondweller. I felt like I had asked you the same question several times with no response. I think the main difference between your view and the Catholic view is that there are past, present and future aspects of sanctification in the latter view, which I think is supported by Hebrews 10:14: “For by a single offering he has perfected (past tense) for all time those who are being sanctified (present tense).” Christ on the Cross has provided the means through which we can obtain eternal life in Heaven. But notice that the author of Hebrews says that this one-time sacrifice doesn’t make us perfectly sanctified already. It sounds like you’re saying the same thing with the labels “experiential” and “positional”. But the fact remains that we must be perfectly sanctified to enter Heaven. So our “experiential” sanctification must be part of salvation, which is our eternal union with God in Heaven. We must be perfectly sanctified to enter Heaven, not just “position-ally” or declared so.

Actually a hard, literal translation of this verse would read:"For by one sacrifice He has perfected in perpetuity the sanctified."Check a Greek-English Interlinear.

For by one offering God has perfected for all time the sanctified. The writer of Hebrews is not at all referring to a process here, but a one time sacrifice by which God Himself perfects the sanctified in Christ. The sanctification process here on earth in these yet unredeemed bodies is not for the goal of reaching sinlessness (an impossibility). And the sins a believer does commit while in his unredeemed body were dealt with by God judicially through the, once for all, sacrifice of the incarnate Son. The day will come when the believer’s position will be his eternal condition. But for now, according to the Word of God, God Himself has made him ready for glory through the one, historic sacrifice of Christ. The saved are called to walk by FAITH in what God has revealed in His Word. This Hebrews verse is addressed to faith. And faith in God’s Word honors Him. It’s, in fact, a form of worship. :bowdown:

 

[brb2]

I think you misunderstood the point of the David example. David suffered a temporal consequence of his sin EVEN THOUGH he was forgiven.

It is possible to suffer in this life instead of in the next, but again, the illustration was provided simply to prove that temporal punishment exists even when eternal punishment has been avoided through repentance.

You should not of been confused … since I emphasized David’s earthly punishment/penance came AFTER his confession.

Possible to suffer in this life … you say ? Scripture indicates this is the NORM for the believer. The early Church believed they were purged in this life. Paul taught the idea of ‘soul sleep’ … and the Rapture will occur for those sleeping, on Christ’s return [2nd coming to earth].

Peter teaches that the OT saints were aroused from death “prison” by Christ … and taken to heaven, not Purgatory. Baptism for the dead seems to have been practiced in the first century … per Paul’s Epistle. So, Purgatory appears perhaps a second century addition … based on Peter’s “Saved as by fire” scripture.

 

[brb2]

Works FOLLOW salvation but one is never saved by them. The Scriptures are clear on this.

Not saved [justified] by them, but PRESERVED by them … as they reflect God’s ongoing Grace to the believer God’s gracious works, sustaining the believer til the end]. Paul is very clear on this in his many Epistles. How can you claim to hold the Pauline idea … and overlook his clear teaching that OSAS is unsupportable ?

 

[brb2]

Md …

Listen to Paul’s teaching to Timothy on the perils of falling away from faith.

1st. Timothy 4:15-16 PRACTICE these duties, DEVOTE yourself to them, so that all may see your PROGRESS. TAKE HEED to yourself and to your teaching; HOLD TO THAT, for by so doing you will SAVE BOTH YOURSELF and your hearers.

1st. Tim. 5:8 If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his own family, he has DISOWNED THE FAITH AND IS WORSE THAN an unbeliever.

 

[bmw8901]

Just as an aside: Do Protestants really believe in Faith Alone?

I was saved “born again” at seventeen and welcomed into the Evangelical church. Now, a few years later I am questioning the theology and leaning towards a Catholic view of salvation. Suddenly, I am no longer saved or “was never really saved to begin with.” I think the actual statement should be that they believe in Faith Alone “except unless you change your theological views to something other than what we believe.” If Jesus died for all of my sins, why doesn’t that cover a theological error I’m making now? Suddenly, I’m rejecting Christ or never accept Him?

I’m being a little flippant here. But seriously is there any true faith without works?

 

[paul_c]

Just as an aside: Do Protestants really believe in Faith Alone?

I was saved “born again” at seventeen and welcomed into the Evangelical church. Now, a few years later I am questioning the theology and leaning towards a Catholic view of salvation. Suddenly, I am no longer saved or “was never really saved to begin with.” I think the actual statement should be that they believe in Faith Alone “except unless you change your theological views to something other than what we believe.” If Jesus died for all of my sins, why doesn’t that cover a theological error I’m making now? Suddenly, I’m rejecting Christ or never accept Him?

I’m being a little flippant here. But seriously is there any true faith without works?

I think this is exactly the rub. There is no faith unless you demonstrate it with works. I think many times, people get caught up in the verbage. Some will say that Faith is demonstrated by works. Catholics will say that Faith is completed by works. But I think every real Christian will agree that someone who is saved will do good works, even Moondweller. He might describe it as saying that they do good works BECAUSE they are saved, but in the end, the saved will do works of love and mercy. after all, How can you claim to be born again in Christ, without actually attempting to walk in his love and do his works?

 

[yankee_drifter]

Wow. You are adding a totally different meaning to this parable than what has been understood for 2000 years.

When we mention someone was a Good Samaritan–we ALL know what that means: someone who DID a good work. No one ever thinks of a GOOD SAMARITAN as someone who understands the “impossibility of earning one’s salvation.”

GOOD SAMARITAN law: to protect a health professional who does a GOOD WORK outside of his workplace. NOT to protect a health professional who understands “the impossibility of earning one’s salvation.”

GOOD SAMARITAN hospital: to provide GOOD WORKS to sick patients. NOT to emphasize that their mission is to promote “the impossibility of earning one’s salvation.”

GOOD SAMARITAN Shelter: to provide GOOD WORKS to the homeless. NOT to emphasize that their mission is to promote “the impossibility of earning one’s salvation.”

Can you provide us with any example of people using GOOD SAMARITAN to demonstrate “the impossibility of earning one’s salvation”? As in, “that person who just said the sinner’s prayer is now a GOOD SAMARITAN!”

There is more than one lesson in this parable. Its a parable about a parable. Its an invitation to be kind and merciful and loving to our neighbor, a stranger and our enemies. It invites all of us to have hearts of love. It’s also an attack against non-involvement.

However, you are forgetting the lawyer’s original question: “What must I **do **to inherit eternal life?” This was the reason for Jesus giving this parable in the first place.

Does the lawyer expect that by the performance of a generous deed, he might secure for himself eternal life? He thought of future salvation as arising from good conduct (Lk 10:25), while Jesus conceived of good conduct as a product of present salvation. Therefore, Jesus’ teaching was not a new law, but an illustration of the conduct of a transformed character

This man was an "expert in the law” and this refers to Jewish law and not Roman law. He was a Theologian not an Attorney. The Jews believe in “doing” something. They had many “laws”. But we can’t DO anything to** inherit** a gift and eternal life is God’s gift. Inheritance is based on relationship not achievement. One does not inherit eternal life by “doing” good deeds.

The most important commandment is to Love God above everything. The 2nd is to love your neighbor. The lawyer agrees that the essence of the Torah is to love one’s neighbor as oneself, but then seeks to limit this to mean fellow Jews only. Love your own race and faith community, he believes, and you have ** fulfilled the law**. He sought to justify himself.

The point of the parable is that we should identify ourselves with the priest and the Levite and repent. It is only by the Spirit of the Good Samaritan reproducing Christ in me, that I may live a life pleasing to God and of service to people. Our motivation for doing good must be love for others and an interest in meeting their basic needs, a heart of mercy that is moved by compassion. Not seeking to do something to inherit eternal life.

The truly born-again Christian understands Eph 2:10: “We are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

 

[yankee_drifter]

Just as an aside: Do Protestants really believe in Faith Alone?

I was saved “born again” at seventeen and welcomed into the Evangelical church. Now, a few years later I am questioning the theology and leaning towards a Catholic view of salvation. Suddenly, I am no longer saved or “was never really saved to begin with.” I think the actual statement should be that they believe in Faith Alone “except unless you change your theological views to something other than what we believe.” If Jesus died for all of my sins, why doesn’t that cover a theological error I’m making now? Suddenly, I’m rejecting Christ or never accept Him?

I’m being a little flippant here. But seriously is there any true faith without works?

I can’t speak about your own personal experience, but, sadly, there are many false conversions. Some come to Christ seeking something, a change perhaps, without knowing what true repentance means and exactly what Christ accomplished at Calvary. Too many people accept an altar call without fully understanding what it requires. It requires true repentance, contrition, full acknowledgment that one is a lost sinner and only the shed blood of Jesus Christ can remit sin and He is the only way to God the Father and everlasting life. One cannot come to Christ without the Holy Spirit first working in that person’s life. We don’t respond to an altar call or get on our knees because a pastor says to, or because others are doing so, or it feels right and good and a noble thing to do. We can’t bend our knee in humility and complete contrition until the Holy Spirit has convicted us and pricked our heart where we fully comprehend that we are sinners and the wages of sin is death. An unrepentant sinner is lost, which means apart from Christ he is nothing and can do nothing. We deserve hell and to remain in that sinful state means everlasting hell. There is no afterlife cleansing.

But Jesus Christ offers us the free gift of eternal life. One does not however, just go and grab it. We must first come to the Cross which means a complete understanding of one’s own lost, sinful, hopeless condition and true remorse, not a superficial regret. And that Christ fully redeemed us. He paid our sin debt in FULL.

bmw, it may be that you were not at this place when you said you got “saved” at 17. A truly born again Christian experiences a transformation from the inside. This is the work of God.

The “works” comes after one has been born from above and is a new creature in Christ Jesus. This is the work of the Spirit in the Christian’s life.

One very telling thing is that you wrote in the space for “religious affiliation”, you WISH to return to Catholicism. But you haven’t done so. It sounds like something is holding you back.

 

[Eric_Hilbert]

The subject is purgatory. Stay on topic.
Thank you.

 

[JacobG]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

I am glad you asked. But I cannot answer that question because don’t know why Jesus said we must CONFESS AND REPENT but he did. Now if Jesus said we must do both why would you think a Priest would disobey him? A Priest did not write the rules he just obeys them like we do. By the way a Priest can totally absolve you. Remember John 20:21-23 Not only can he forgive them he can retain them also. What are you saying you don’t believe Jesus when he said this???

But why do you think that when we ask God forgiveness we do not have to repent. Where did repent get wiped out of the bible. We must repent and pray sincerely to God BEFORE we enter the confessional. I can see you have no clue about the confession according to the RCC.

First of all, we are being warned to stick with the topic, so I cannot answer all of your questions. 2nd, where and when did Jesus ever institute a priesthood in the NT? Where did He ever say we need a priest, victim and sacrifices? Christ is our high priest. All true Christians are a royal priesthood. There is NOTHING in all of Scripture about any ministerial priests performing (or re-presenting) the same sacrifice as that at Calvary.

Yes, we must repent, but Jesus never said we need a priest to absolve us. He alone is our Mediator. Why don’t you go straight to Him in prayer when you sin?

As for John 20, Jesus explained to the Apostles that by preaching the GOSPEL, they held the keys to Heaven and Hell. Those who believed the Gospel were forgiven; those who didn’t, weren’t.

Augustine explains that it is on account of ** faith and repentance** that a person is forgiven, and therefore received in the church: He goes onto write:

“He has given, therefore, the keys to His Church, that whatsoever it should bind on earth might be bound in heaven, and whatsoever it should loose on earth might be, loosed in heaven; that is to say, that whosoever in the Church should not believe that his sins are remitted, they should not be remitted to him; but that whosoever should believe and should repent, and turn from his sins, should be saved by the same faith and repentance on the ground of which he is received into the bosom of the Church” (Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, Book 1, Chapter 18).

To claim that Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sin is blasphemy. There is only ONE MEDIATOR between God the Father and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). In Mathew 6:15 God requires us to forgive others, it’s not an option. Not one mention is made anywhere in the N.T. of an Apostle ever forgiving someone’s sins. Out of all the sermons recorded in the N.T. by the Apostles, not one mention is ever made of an Apostle having the power to forgive someone’s sins. When Stephen preached the Gospel in Acts 7, he never offered to forgive anyone’s sins. When Peter preached the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he never offered to forgive anyone’s sins. When Paul witnessed to King Agrippa in Acts 26, he didn’t offer to forgive the king’s sins.

 

[JustaServant]

Did you bother to read the moderator’s warning?

 

[JacobG]

Did you bother to read the moderator’s warning?

Yes, I sent him an apology and will not answer any more of your questions.

 

[rinnie]

First of all, we are being warned to stick with the topic, so I cannot answer all of your questions. 2nd, where and when did Jesus ever institute a priesthood in the NT? Where did He ever say we need a priest, victim and sacrifices? Christ is our high priest. All true Christians are a royal priesthood. There is NOTHING in all of Scripture about any ministerial priests performing (or re-presenting) the same sacrifice as that at Calvary.

Yes, we must repent, but Jesus never said we need a priest to absolve us. He alone is our Mediator. Why don’t you go straight to Him in prayer when you sin?

As for John 20, Jesus explained to the Apostles that by preaching the GOSPEL, they held the keys to Heaven and Hell. Those who believed the Gospel were forgiven; those who didn’t, weren’t.

Augustine explains that it is on account of ** faith and repentance** that a person is forgiven, and therefore received in the church: He goes onto write:

“He has given, therefore, the keys to His Church, that whatsoever it should bind on earth might be bound in heaven, and whatsoever it should loose on earth might be, loosed in heaven; that is to say, that whosoever in the Church should not believe that his sins are remitted, they should not be remitted to him; but that whosoever should believe and should repent, and turn from his sins, should be saved by the same faith and repentance on the ground of which he is received into the bosom of the Church” (Augustine, On Christian Doctrine, Book 1, Chapter 18).

To claim that Jesus gave the Apostles the power to forgive sin is blasphemy. There is only ONE MEDIATOR between God the Father and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5). In Mathew 6:15 God requires us to forgive others, it’s not an option. Not one mention is made anywhere in the N.T. of an Apostle ever forgiving someone’s sins. Out of all the sermons recorded in the N.T. by the Apostles, not one mention is ever made of an Apostle having the power to forgive someone’s sins. When Stephen preached the Gospel in Acts 7, he never offered to forgive anyone’s sins. When Peter preached the Gospel on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2, he never offered to forgive anyone’s sins. When Paul witnessed to King Agrippa in Acts 26, he didn’t offer to forgive the king’s sins.

Jacob I would love to show you all of this. I will start another thread called the Confession. See you there. That way we won’t de-rail the thread:thumbsup:

 

[Thing]

You should not of been confused … since I emphasized David’s earthly punishment/penance came AFTER his confession.

Possible to suffer in this life … you say ? Scripture indicates this is the NORM for the believer. The early Church believed they were purged in this life. Paul taught the idea of ‘soul sleep’ … and the Rapture will occur for those sleeping, on Christ’s return [2nd coming to earth].

Peter teaches that the OT saints were aroused from death “prison” by Christ … and taken to heaven, not Purgatory. Baptism for the dead seems to have been practiced in the first century … per Paul’s Epistle. So, Purgatory appears perhaps a second century addition … based on Peter’s “Saved as by fire” scripture.

This quote below represents the Catholic view in the mid-middle-ages I suppose, its nice;

Nevertheless we say that the priest assoilleth [absolves] of sins, as for that he is insinued, or showeth that the sinner is *assoilled [absolved] of God. As to that, that the pain that should be perpetual, he changeth into temporal of purgatory, and also for that the pain temporal is due he releaseth part.

There is no Rapture in Catholic Theology that I know of. The pain temporal that is due, by justice, ought to be paid in full in this life or the next if you happen to become dead unexpectedly.

 

[rinnie]

Purgatory seems to mean such a bad place to people. To me it is like anything else. Its what you make of it. You could say Oh thank you Jesus I am on my way to eternal life. And the prize is being with you Jesus. There is no temporal punishment not worth that.

It is a way to be cleaned and made perfect in Christ. If we could not obtain that in this life it is made possible in the next. Just like the gospel says. Purged from all impurity. And in the end when you are made pure what do you get.

A Great big Bear Hug from Christ. As my kids say whats the down side of that?

 

[rinnie]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

This quote below represents the Catholic view in the mid-middle-ages I suppose,[SIGN] its nice;[/SIGN]
Nevertheless we say that the priest assoilleth [absolves] of sins, as for that he is insinued, or showeth that the sinner is *assoilled [absolved] of God. As to that, that the pain that should be perpetual, he changeth into temporal of purgatory, and also for that the pain temporal is due he releaseth part.

There is no Rapture in Catholic Theology that I know of. The pain temporal that is due, by justice, ought to be paid in full in this life or the next if you happen to become dead unexpectedly.

You are right it is nice. ITs wonderful actually. ITs knowing you are going to have eternal life with Christ. ITs not just nice its Wonderful.

 

[paul_c]

[SIGN][/SIGN]

You are right it is nice. ITs wonderful actually. ITs knowing you are going to have eternal life with Christ. ITs not just nice its Wonderful.

you know, I have a slightly different view of purgatory. I think of it as a benefit for me to go to purgatory to become ready to meet God, if I am not ready when my life ends. Afterall, if you truly love God, you want to be worthy to meet him…